– Sambina Gorkhali (Premier College)

According to the past decade ,tha Archana choudhary told that Kathmandu has faced significant challenges in managing parking due to rapid urbanization and an increase in vehicle ownership. To address these issues, several initiatives have been implemented:

Introduction of Smart Parking Systems (2019)

In May 2019, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) collaborated with a private company to launch a digital parking service in the New Road area. This system allowed motorists to check available parking spaces and make reservations through a mobile application called ‘Park KTM’. LED screens were installed at various locations, such as Rameshwaram Sweets (in front of Bishal Bazaar), Dharmapath, Pako, and RB Complex, to display parking availability.

Challenges with the Smart Parking System

Despite the initial promise, the smart parking system encountered issues. By January 2022, reports indicated problems like mismanagement and overcharging. Users complained about non-functional mobile applications and inconsistent parking fees, which undermined the system’s effectiveness.

Proposed Multistoried Parking Facilities

To alleviate parking woes, KMC proposed constructing multistoried parking facilities in key areas New Road Plans were made for a five-storied parking facility with an automated lift system to accommodate over 400 vehicles. This initiative aimed to address the parking scarcity in one of Kathmandu’s busiest commercial hubs.

Khullamanch and Lainchaur: Additional proposals included multi-storey parking buildings in these areas to reduce congestion and enhance urban aesthetics. The estimated cost for the Khullamanch facility was around Rs 3 billion.

Recent Developments

In recent years, efforts have been made to improve parking management:

Temporary Parking Solutions: During major festivals like Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath in 2023, KMC established temporary parking areas in locations such as Dharahara to accommodate increased vehicular movement.

Policy Revisions: KMC revised parking fees for two-wheelers and four-wheelers in July 2023 to standardize charges and discourage haphazard parking practices.

Current Situation:

As of March 2025, while there have been improvements in parking infrastructure and management, challenges persist. Continuous efforts are underway to develop sustainable solutions, including the construction of dedicated parking facilities and the enforcement of parking regulations, to accommodate the growing number of vehicles in Kathmandu.